FROM NUNGAMBAKKAM TO THOUSAND LIGHTS BRANCH

During the emergency period,SBI management started acting indifferently on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance, and many strictures were imposed to Leaders.The Union convened an Central Committee meeting and all the district level secretaries explained the situation and explained not to cow-down by the pressure tactics of the management. The Leaders met the Circle Management to act suitably and not suppress the union activities and the union will also act accordingly with the understanding of the situation. In some branches,to settle down the old rivalry some Managers issued charge-sheeted, suspended some employees and enquiries were initiated.

Within two years the ruling congress party was thrown out of power, and newly formed Janatha
Party Government assumed charge at the Centre and all union activities became normal.

After two or three years, new problems in the Staff Federation by which the Madras Circle has
also had an impact. Mohanlal Majumdar (the President) and (General Secretary) Nirmal Choudhury had a difference of opinion. Around the same time the very strong Madras Circle to the Staff Federation also had similar issue when it started with C.L.Rajarathinam (CLR) (the President) and V.Ganesan (General Secretary of Madras Circle) having some difference of functioning between them which was controlled by T.V.Loganathan then the Vice President. When the federation level difference of opinion was beyond any compromise, the same thing happened to Madras Circle also. At the time of Circle conference and elections are due CLR wanted to contest for General Secretary post and Ganesan contested that only Central Committee to decide.

When central committee met and discussed most of the members opined that no need to change the existing position as the Circle Union should have strong base to make Federation level impact. This is was refuted by CLR and handful of Central Committee members started openly and many leaders met both Ganesan and CLR to arrive at consensus level which was totally rejected by CLR who was vehement to contest as General Secretary as such many compromise formulas failed. So with this tense situation the Circle Conference was held at Trivandrum. In the conference most of central committee members supporting the Official Candidates of Union and only 70 to 90 delegates out 600 delegates had the support the contesting candidature. Having sensed the defeat the dissent group started confusion and they were stalling the proceedings.

In our Nungambakkam Branch we had a meeting before the conference and I requested the Local secretary M.K.Moorthy to allow me to address the meeting. I told the staff union has some problem will be solved in due course of time. I requested everyone to resolve to vote for official candidates and not to any personal candidature which all the members accepted whole heartedly, there by standing by the Banner which provided every facility we enjoy. All the candidates supported by the majority of central committee members declared victorious.

The defeated CLR faction joined together which had some support due to CLR"s popularity.,
started new Union in the name State Bank Workmen Federation which was backed the Nirmal
Choudhury Faction and Management tried to break the Circle Union strong hold in All India level.

The Management posted a guy named K.D.Nayar as Chief General Manager who tried to play maximum mischief by charge sheeting, suspension and transferring creating panic situation among the minds of employees. Union Protested , contested and finally struck work which was highlighted to the Central Office who had meeting the union leaders who only solution is to transfer the CGM for his adamant approach and never wanted to discuss matters with the union. Finally the Union succeeded in the sustained approach and K.D.Nayar was thankfully transferred and after sometime he was charge sheeted for bribery. Finally I will finish this blog entry that I was also a victim of his hasty action and I was transferred from Nungambakkam Branch transferred to Thousand Lights Branch as Teller which is unique in the history of tellers.
Rest to continue in the next.

UNION ACTIVITIES-CONTINUATION

Before joining new Nungambakkam Branch, I went to Parent Union office expressed my disappointment over the transfer to the General Secretary V.Ganesan, as I was interested get posting to Madras Main Branch, as two of my colleagues, K.Sankaran from Madurai posted to and R. Chakravarthy from Pondicherry posted to Madras Main Branch. The General Secretary convinced me that they prefer me to transfer to Nungambakkam branch. They also highlighted the advantages of moving there as the Nungambakkam Branch is a prestige Branch fully air conditioned (which at that point of time was rare and most sought after), the second in India with regards to the best customer service and model branch for the circle. Trichy Balu sir told his colleague at Madurai branch is also at Nungambakkam. His name is Shri M.Gopal and our General Secretary Ganesan also told me to get guidance from him.

The Branch developed very fast in 5 years and the staff strength raised from 10 to 50 members.
I became the Unit Secretary in December 1969 to 1974 and myself and Gopal decided to make M.K.Moorthy who became popular in the Branch. He became the very successful secretary and holding the post for more than 18 years. The branch became the very powerful unit in the City and enjoyed the attention of the direct control of Parent Union.

Myself and M.K.Moorthy habituated to visit the Parent Union on saturdays and had interactions with the other branch unit secretaries which became a regular feature and generated very good response with the whole hearted support of the General Secretary. Exchange of views and debates and discussions gave wonderful reactions and many issues solved easily. As every thing going smoothly, very great problem for the Trade Union Movement when the Emergency was declared by the then Prime Minister. Nearly Two to two and half years of rule of thumb, union activities were restricted but the spirits burning inside. When the Congress Party routed in the General Elections newly formed Janatha Party Came into power with Morarji Desai as Prime Minister and union activities came to light with full vigour. After some years we faced two major situations ( State Bank Staff Union) which I will take up in my next blog.

1.Conflict in Leadership
2. Ruthless attack on Trade Union by the C.G.M. K.D.Nayar

HOBBIES AND ACTIVITIES- Continuation

Within six months of joining the Bank, an homogenous atmosphere with affectionate warmth feeling of colleagues made all the 15 new enterants very happy. On the 5th January,1965,myself, Rajaram and Dhandapani both hailing from Thanjavur appointed and became Lodge mates.One

Mr.S.Natarajan ,2 years senior was also in the same lodge became closer and guiding factor in the bank.After some months,Rajaram decided to come daily from Thanjavur and Dhandapani's family shifted to Trichy. I also shifted to a lodge at Thillainagar for 9 months and changed to Mayavaram Lodge where I was taking meals,near Rock fort Temple.Mr.Balu who knew my interest in the game of cricket and has played league cricket at Madras asked me to form a team in the bank where there are 6 good players. The bank earlier has played some practice matches.

Mr.Balu contacted the Circle Welfare Secretary Mr.P.V.Harinath Babu to allot funds to organise cricket team and whenever I visited Madras, I used to contact him. Finally a cricket team is formed and started playing practice matches. I requested Mr.Balu to have practice twice a week which will improve standards and since the bank had plenty of place, and a residential training centre building under construction. In consultation with Agent, Balu requested the contractor

to make a practice pitch who was reluctant first then agreed to make one and within a month he finished it and we were very happy. In an practice match with the Everest Cricket club,the

bank team fought very well but we lost the match. The everest cricket club had 6 District cricketers in their side. Impressed by our performance, the district players asked us to enter in to TDCA league.TDCA officials were impressed about my interest, asked me to be committee member,which I have accepted.

On my active participation encouraged by Mr.Balu,TDCA secretary asked me to be his Joint Secretary of the district association and I got elected and many colleges and schools and companies joined the league and II divisions created each had 11 teams .On the other side,in the bank union activities as I was popular among the juniors of outspoken nature impressed my colleagues,Mr Balu compelled me not to apply transfer to Madras. I told him it will take atleast two years to get my transfer and reluctantly forwarded the application.But time and again Balu persuaded me to stay in Trichy and as the Bank is building second colony at Crawfordask me to apply for the house allotment.But since my father refuse to come to Trichy I rejected the offer.

TNCA gave an offer to TDCA for hosting a Ranji Trophy match for the first time in the history of Trichy which the committee accepted. A steering committee headed by the Collector Shri K.Hari Bhaskar,D.I.G.,D.R.O., Rajah of Pudukottai and TDCA officials formed the committee. A fornight

before TDCA secretary had an attack of Jaundice and all the co-ordination work has to be done by me.In spite of so many hurdles,by the grace of god the match was conducted in very good manner and witnessed by a large crowd including Makkal Thilakam M.G.R., who was the chairman of Small Savings Scheme.

During these tense moment, my transfer to Nungambakkam Branch was received and was relieved on 30th November,1968.During the span of nearly four years, Many Memorable events has taken place and only some I am mentioning.The kindness shown by my seniors is very great and I salute them for their warmth friendship.,notable among them M/s N.Balasubramaniam, K.B.Krishnamurthy, T.R,Manickavasagam, N.Balakrishnan and S.Natarajan., V.Rajaram,who was appointed on the same dayhas become a part and parcel and I still have contacts with him and we both relishes our friendship for ever. Before my conclusion of Trichy memories, one great

incidence and interaction which made me a stanch unionists I would like to mention.

In the year 1967,Thanjavur State Bank Staff Union Madras Circle conference conducted and I was a volunteer.Mr,S,P,Raman,DY.GEN.Secretary was the Organiser, in which all leaders of chennai circle, and many leaders of the Federation attended.Myself and Rajaram were very fortunate to assist the great Mohanlal Majumdar,the Doyan of the Trade Union Movement from Imperial Bank regime,President of State Bank Staff Federation who wanted to accompany him to the great Big Temple, that too in an Bulluck Cart.While he was narrating the trade union movement history that too non political trade union movement and had the maximum support of madras circle and the very active support of leaders like M/s. C.L.Rajarathinam, T.V. Loganathan, V.Ganesan,P.V.Harinath Babu whose determined efforts made him to strong Federation.

This Humble,Simple man called as MOHAN DADA in bengal circle made a very strong base in my mind and the Vibrant speech of Charlie Coutto,President of Bombay circle gave so much of impression of non political trade union spitit in the GREAT STATE BANK STAFF UNION imbibed in my inner soul.

RECOLLECTION OF OLD PASSIONATE HOBBIES

MANY OF MY FRIENDS ASK ME WHY I DIDN'T DISCUSS ABOUT MY OLD PASSIONATE HOBBIES IN MY BLOG. THEY WANTED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY PARTICULAR REASON WHY IT WAS EXCLUDED.

TODAY I WANTED TO SHARE ABOUT MY FAVORITE HOBBIES VIZ. CRICKET, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND UNION. TODAY I WILL BE COVERING ALL THE ACTIVITIES CONNECTED IN MY CAREER.

TO BEGIN WITH, I WILL DISCUSS REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNION ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATE BANK OF INDIA AND HOW I DEVELOPED THE INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT THROUGH OUT MY CAREER.

IN THE YEAR 1965 I GOT APPOINTMENT IN STATE BANK OF INDIA, TIRUCHIRAPALLI AND CONFIRMED (PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT) IN JULY. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO MR.N.BALASUBRAMANIAN, A FRAIL LOOKING FEROCIOUS LEADER WHO NARRATED THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNION . I LEARNED THAT THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT ASSISTED AND HELPED THE EMPLOYEES TO HAVE DISTRIBUTION OF WORK EQUALLY AND WHEREBY WE CAN VOICE OUR THOUGHTS TO THE MANAGEMENT ON PROPER JOB ROTATION. I TOTALLY LISTENED TO HIM AND AS I WAS A BACHELOR HE USED TO ASK MY ASSISTANCE IN UNION WORK. I USED TO ADMIRE HIS DEDICATION AND THE SINCERE APPROACH IN SPITE OF HAVING ASTHMA BREATHING PROBLEMS WHICH ATTRACTED ME TO A VERY GREAT EXTENT.

AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER, I REMEMBER AN INCIDENT WHICH REMAINS FRESH IN MY MIND REGARDING MY EARLY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE UNION. I REMEMBER A PERSON NAMED M. SRINIVASAN, WHO WAS WORKING AS A GARDENER. HE WAS UNILATERALLY DISMISSED BY THE MANAGEMENT WITHOUT ANY REASON. TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE, THE UNION LEADER AT THAT TIME ASKED ME TO TO TRACE OUT THE OLD APPOINTMENT LETTER SO THAT THE DISMISSED EMPLOYEE WILL GET BACK HIS EMPLOYMENT. AFTER THOROUGH SEARCH, I WAS ABLE TO TRACK THE ORIGINAL LETTER, GAVE IT TO LEADER WHO PROFUSELY THANKED AND APPRECIATED MY SINCERITY. TWO YEARS LATER THE GARDENER SRINIVASAN

SPORTING A FULL BEARD, PROSTRATED AND FELL ON MY FEET. NEVERTHELESS, I WAS QUITE EMBARRASSED, BAFFLED AND SHOCKED AND ASKED HIM WHY HE DID THAT. HE WAS EMOTIONAL AND TEARS, HE REPLIED BACK SAYING THE UNION LEADER BALU SIR ASKED HIM TO DO IT TO SHOW THE GRATITUDE.

WHEN THE LEADER CAME, HE RESPONDED SAYING THAT HE WAS THE ONE WHO MADE HIM DO THAT BECAUSE WITHOUT THE LETTER HE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE THE JOB AGAIN. THE LETTER PAVED WAY FOR THE UNION TO CONTEST IN THE COURT AND WHICH FINALLY LEAD TO REAPPOINTMENT OF THIS POOR SOUL .THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT KINDLED AND ACTIVATED MY UNION SPIRITS THAT I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE FELLOW PEOPLE WHICH CAN HELP THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE AND TOOK THAT AS A MISSION TO HELP PEOPLE.

CONTINUATION OF MYLAPORE MEMORIES

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LIVING IN MYLAPORE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MATTER OF PRIDE. MAJORITY OF FRONT RANKING ADVOCATES RESIDED THERE.

ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONALITIES SARVEPALLI S.RADHAKRISHNAN, ALLADI KRISHNASWAMI IYER, SIR C.P.RAMASWAMY IYER, T.T.KRISHNAMACHARI, CHIEF JUSTICE M. PATANJALI SASTRI, INDUSTRIALISTS T.V.SUNDARAM IYENGAR'S FAMILY,SIMPSON GROUP FOUNDER S. ANANTHARAMAKRISHNAN'S FAMILY, HINDU NEWSPAPER FOUNDER KASTURIRANGA IYENGAR FAMILY, GEMINI S.S.VASAN FAMILY, A.V.MEIYAPPA CHETTIAR'S FAMILY HAILED AND LIVED IN MYLAPORE.


MYLAPORE ALSO HAS GOOD SHARE OF MEDICAL HOSPITALS VIZ. E.V.KALYANI'S HOSPITAL, ST.ISABEL HOSPITAL, JAMMI VENKATARAMAIAH LIVER CURE HOSPITAL, ANDHRA MAHILA SABHA HOSPITALS AND THESE SERVED THE NEEDS OF MYLAPORE RESIDENTS AND PATIENTS ARE FROM NEAR AND FAR AS THEY HAD GREAT FACILITIES, WONDERFUL TREATMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES.

NEXT, WITH REGARDS TO HOTELS, UDUPI HOTEL, NEAR MYLAPORE TANK, UDUPI SUKHA NIVAS, RAYAR'S CAFE WERE THE POPULAR ONES WHICH HAS ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THESE RESTAURANTS HAVE MAINTAINED HIGH STANDARDS OVER THE YEARS.

THE OLDEST SHOPS, LIKE MYLAPORE PHARMACY, SATHYAM STUDIOS, VIJAYA STORES,ALLIANCE PRESS, RADHA SILKS, DUBBA CHETTY HERBAL SIDDHA MEDICAL SHOP AND KALATHY'S ROSE MILK SHOP. NO ONE WILL FORGET. RASIKA

RANJANI SABHA IS ONE OF OLDEST SABHAS AND ALL THE OLD STALWARTS IN MUSIC

DRAMA AND DANCE HAVE PERFORMED HERE. MANY ARTISTS LIKE KAMALA LAKSHMAN, FAMOUS PAPANASAM SIVAN, MADURAI MANI IYER AND MANY ARTISTS WERE LIVING IN MYLAPORE WHICH ENCOURAGED ALL UPCOMING ARTISTS.

IT IS ENDLESS TO SHARE AND WRITE ABOUT THE GLORY OF MYLAPORE. MYLAPOREANS WERE ALWAYS FILLED WITH FEELINGS OF SELF SUFFICIENCY. GOD BLESS THE INSPIRED, CULTURAL, SPIRITUAL LOVING PEOPLE OF MYLAPORE AND LET THE TRADITIONS ARE UPHELD AS ALWAYS.

MULTICULTURAL MYLAPORE MEMORIES

TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS ABOUT MY FAVORITE PLACE VIZ. MYLAPORE.

MYLAPORE IS HISTORIC, MULTI-LINGUISTIC, MULTIFACETED AND ONE IMPORTANT PLACE OF CHENNAI CITY WHERE TRADITIONALLY MANY LEGAL LUMINARIES, MUSICIANS, SCHOLARS AND ARTISTS HAIL FROM.

HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT TEMPLES LIKE KAPALEESWARAR
KESAVA PERUMAL, APPARSWAMY, MADHAVAPERUMAL, MUNDAHAKANNI AMMAN, KARNEESWARAR, MALLESWARAR, VIRUBHASHISWARAR, VALEESWARAR, THIRTHAPALEESWARAR, VALLISWARAR ALL WITHIN A KILOMETRE RADIUS HAS THE ATTRACTION OF MANY DEVOTEES AROUND CHENNAI.

FURTHER, THE FAMOUS ST. THOMAS SANTHOME CHURCH NEAR THE BEACH, AND MOSQUE ON KUTCHERY ROAD, SHIRDI SAI BABA TEMPLE BUILT BY SWAMI NARASIMHASWAMIJI, RAMAKRISHNA MUTT ARE PLACES OF INTEREST FOR MANY VISITORS.

WORLD FAMOUS SAINTS OF TAMIL CULTURE SAINT THIRUVALLUVAR AND SACRED PAIYALWAR BIRTH PLACE IS THE GREAT MYLAPORE. CENTENARY YEAR OLD EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS PENNATHUR SUBRAMANIA AYYAR HIGH SCHOOL AND LADY SIVASWAMI AYYAR GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL, RKM VIVEKANANDA COLLEGE , RAMAKRISHNA STUDENT'S HOME, SANTHOME HIGH SCHOOL, ST.BEDE'S HIGH SCHOOL ARE THE BACK BONE OF KID's EDUCATION. MORE ON MYLAPORE WILL BE CONTINUED.

MOTHER'S MEMORY RECOLLECTIONS

AS I LOOK BACK MANY SIMILARITIES ARE WITH ME AND MOTHER. WE BOTH WERE BORN AT MAYAVARAM AND SETTLED DOWN AT MYLAPORE. BIRTH AT MAYILADUTHURAI AND SETTLING DOWN AT MYLAPORE WHERE THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACOCK IS SIGNIFICANT.

MY MOTHER'S HUSBAND IS SUBRAMANYAM AND MY FATHER IS SUBRAMANYAM AND LORD SUBRAMANYA'S ABODE IS PEACOCK.AS I WAS BORN IN VALLALAR KOIL DOUBLE STREET AND THE PROMINENT DEITY IS MEDHA DHAKSHINAMURTHY MY GRAND FATHER NAMED ME AS GURUMURTHY. BEFORE MY BIRTH OUR FAMILY WERE LIVING ALONG WITH MY FATHER'S BROTHER N.SIVARAMAKRISHNA IYER'S FAMILY IN SANKARA VILAS AT LUZ, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD.

ON MY BIRTH OUR FAMILY SHIFTED TO VENKATESA AGRAHARAM WHICH IS SITUATED JUST OPPOSITE TO THE P.S.HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS WHERE MY FATHER WORKED AS TEACHER FOR 39 YEARS. OTHER THAN 4 YEARS OF MY INITIAL APPOINTMENT IN STATE BANK OF INDIA FROM 1965 TO 1968, MYSELF MOTHER AND FATHER ALWAYS LIVED IN MYLAPORE OR AROUND MYLAPORE, RAJA ANNAMALAIPURAM ONLY.

MANY A TIMES PERSISTENT ADVICES FROM RELATIVES AND FRIENDS, I DECLINED, JUST BECAUSE OF FACINATING ENVIRONMENT OF MYLAPORE. SO MOTHER, MAYILADUTHURAI, MYLAPORE AND MY MIND MAINTAINS MAKES ME MEMORABLE